Má vlast - Bedřich Smetana

One-of-a-kind in Prague: the very first theatrical, scenic, dance, and puppetry adaptation of Smetana´s Má vlast

Enter a world of a spectacular theatrical adventure full of movement, puppets, and visual imagination that will delight children, parents, and grandparents alike – simply everyone whose soul is attuned to music, motion, and stories. 

Through six symphonic poems, we explore the Czech landscape and history as a map of memories and present moments. We journey together and individually, searching for answers to many questions:

How has Vyšehrad changed? And what of it remains within us?
How does the Vltava sound today? Is it quiet, loud, murky, clear? And is there still room for pearl mussels in its waters?
Is the wildness and cruelty of Šárka toward men something we now find amusing, or is it still relevant?
Where have Bohemia’s woods and fields gone? How do nature and the landscape touch our lives, and what stories unfold within them?
What does Tábor mean to us – faith, struggle, or the constant search for courage?
And what about Blaník? Do we believe someone will come when times are at their worst? Is it hope – or an illusion?

What to expect? 

• Má Vlast (My Country) by Bedřich Smetana performed by the Czech Philharmonic
• Contemporary dance, ballet, acrobatics
• Puppets
• Breathtaking, imaginative visual set

About the performers:

The production was created in co-production with the Czech Philharmonic, DEKKADANCERS, the Forman Brothers Theatre, and Jatka78, and follows the successful staging of The Jungle Book, which ran at Azyl78 from 2022 to 2024.

Accompanying My Country with their talent will be dancers, actors, puppeteers, and true theatrical “patriots.” You can look forward to members of the dance ensembles DEKKADANCERS and Holektiv, musicians from the Czech Philharmonic, and the beloved improvisational group Us boys who go out together.

The spectacular set was created under the direction of Matěj Forman, a director and set designer (son of the famous director Miloš Forman). Andrea Sodomková designed the costumes and make-up. Indeed, the visual design plays an absolutely crucial role here. Young audience members can once again look forward to art workshops based on the theme of The Knights of Blaník. The graphic design and curtain design are by Magdalena Rutová, who was awarded the title of Illustrator of the Year at the prestigious Czech Grand Design Awards for 2025 for this work.

Cast:

Lukas Blaha Bliss, Patrik Čermák, Florian Garcia, Josef Bobeš Havelka, Albert Kaše, Andrej Lyga, Natalia Metodijeva, Šimon Pliska, Eva Stará, Dora Sulženko Hoštová, Nela Štarková, Adriana Štefaňáková, Ondřej Vinklát, Andrea Vykysalá, Václav Wortner

Our experience:

An absolutely magical performance that will stay with you long after you leave. The musicianship of the members of the Czech Philharmonic is perfect. An engaging show is full of movement, sketches, dance, puppets, laughter, and visual perfection. We highly recommend this event. 

Important:

• With intermission
• Dress code: casual
• The performance is non-verbal, but there are a few moments when Czech is used
• The production of My Country is held under the auspices of the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel
• Program and performers subject to change

National Theatre drama with subtitles 

Azyl78

Prague's air-conditioned circus tent reborn as a theatre is located in the rear park area of the Prague Exhibition Grounds

Azyl78 is a striking circus tent reborn as a theatre. Its 550-seat, wood-benched circular arena was hand-sewn to measure by Italian circus craftsmen, and its canvas exterior became an artwork in its own right after painter Lukáš Musil covered it in bold black lines and symbols. The theatre is run by the theatre collective behind Jatka78 since 2020. The heated tent keeps out the seasonal chill. A covered bar next door, Bar78, opens two hours before curtain and two hours after, giving visitors a place to warm up beforehand or unwind over a drink once the show ends. Whether you're drawn by the circus lineage, the striking design of the tent itself, or the vision of theatre unlike anything else in Prague, Azyl78 promises an evening well spent. 

How to get there:

• Accessibility by public transport:
  tram - Výstaviště stop
• Nearest car parking:
  At the lot by the Výstaviště Praha - Bazén (swimming stadium)